The kingdom of Aeltheris, this was a land of of beauty and also illusions. Spires of white marble were soaring above the emerald canopies, and their edges glittering as though they were woven from the sunlight itself.

There were great bridges made out of crystal were arching over the flowing rivers, and the very streets were humming faintly with enchantments painted by generations of countless elves. And to them this was proof of their eternal supremacy.

Unlike the humans whose technology has advanced to the point they have mana cars and also functions that are strikingly similar to the modern age. The elves still chose to incorporate nature into their lives, though they also have the same technology but that was only when it came to communication with other races and some facilities.

But their overall land was filled with lush vegetation, the whole land was humming with life. And at the very center of the kingdom in the capital was a large big tree that seemed to reach the heavens, and that was the World Tree.

This was the very foundation of the elves, they treated the world tree like it was their god but it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was since it has always blessed the elves for many decades.

And standing at it's center, a young man whom was draped in gold-threaded robes and bathed in praise, this was Prince Eryndor Veylis, the future ruler of the elven empire.

The elven royal family only had two children, the first being the prince and the other was Princess Katherine Veylis.

They were both young even by eleven standards, very similar in age with other prodigies in the human continent but their power was undeniable.

They held the power of their elven bloodline which made them the pride of the elves since it's been a long time since the royal bloodline has resurfaced. At first they thought it was only the first prince who'd have but the princess was also graced by the world tree.

They both had hair that was silver-bloond, that caught the light like strands of sunlight. Emerald eyes that gleamed with pride, and his very bearing was commanding awe from the masses.

The Elven princess however wasn't like his narcissist brother, she embraced everything and everyone regardless of their stature which displeased was elders of the elven court but they couldn't say it outright as she was still royalty.

Eryndor in all of his elegance, but his beauty was married with one simple truth though: he believed in nothing more than himself, he thought himself as a prodigy never seen in countless years, that proofs his strength sure but that also makes him to be also easy to manipulate.

[The Court Of Aeltheris]

"Why are we still at peace with those repulsive demons? And also why should we cooperate with those feeble humans?"

Eryndor's voice carried across the whole throne chamber, his voice was sharp as a blade and he didn't even try to hide his displeasure with the whole situation.

He stood before the gathered nobles and also the elders, his chin rested and his tone was dripping with pure disdain.

"We are the children of the world tree, children of the stars and eternity, and we are meant to participate in this farce of a tournament every ten years meant for the lesser races? Tell me then, is this what the legacy of Aeltheris has become now? That we must cooperate with the lesser races? That's an insult to our whole race."

Murmurs started to ripple among the nobles and while the elders were just silently observing the whole situation.

Some of the nobles bowed their heads, they were unwilling to speak against him since the princes behavior was getting worse by the day, though they didn't agree with his philosophy they couldn't outright argue with him.

The were other who were whispering in agreement, most likely a faction whom were supporting the prince and his ambitions, the were also filled with the same false sense of superiority that had long defined their people, as they are one of the races whom can live a long life naturally even when they didn't awaken.

His father though, the High King. Just say unmoved upon his crystal throne, his gaze was just steady, though his eyes held the faintest shadow of worry.

Before he could speak a soft voice echoed across the hall:

"Your wrong brother."

This was Princess Katherine whom was also present at the throne room but she just remained quiet during the whole interaction.

"You forget, that long ago. We elves and the other races were in the brink of extinction because we didn't cooperate with each other. But it was this alliance that helped us drive back the evil forces and achieve this peace you speak lightly off."

"Hmph we could've just protected our lands and let the other races deal with it." Eryndor retorted.

"Oh? It seems you forget, the world tree almost got destroyed, and it was thanks to a human that we managed to seal not 'kill' it, beneath the world tree." Katherine replied back.

The whole room hushed the moment the talked about the the 'thing' they sealed beneath the world tree.

Yes the world tree and the elves got saved by a human, the world tree's life force was almost drained and the elves on the brink of extinction.

One person who wanted all races to band together and fight the invasion together, whom they all dismissed saved them and helped seal the beast within' the world tree.

And after that they won the war and achieved a peaceful alliance while they all rebuilt their forces for 100 years.

Eryndor was frustrated when he heard that, her sister always brings up this story whenever she had arguments.

"But—"

"Enough."

The High King cut through the tension, his voice was low but held authority. Everyone hushed after that including Eryndor who just leaned back on his seat.

"Eryndor, Katherine you will go with our 8 young prodigies to the human continent for the tournament. Your not going there to grovel, but to remind them of what we are. The unity between the races was always fragile, but this peace has preserved our lands for 100 years. Do not squander it."

Eryndor's lip just curled. "Peace is just a word for the weak afraid of war."

That's when the king's voice sharpened, though his tone never rose. "Enough Eryndor, you haven't been to war yet your still young. Both of you will go and represent us. You will show restraint and grace, Understood?"

When Eryndor heard those words he felt a tinge of frustration. Restraint and Grace. Those words tasted more like chains. He just bowed stiffly, using a mask to hide his contempt behind the elegance of court manners.

When he turned to leave, his fists were clenched into fists.

"They will kneel. All of them will kneel. I will not 'compete' with them. I will dominate the tournament." He thought to himself.

Inside Eryndor's Room

That very night, The prince stood alone in his private bed chambers, he was starring into the surface of a moonlit pool gazing at his reflection.

His reflection was starring back at him, it was as always, flawless and regal. But tonight, things didn't add up, something was different.

Water rippled on the pool although there was no breeze that occured. That's when his reflection started to twist, the emerald that represented royalty deepened then darkening into void, until they were just a deep pit of endless night.

That's when the reflections lips curled into a smile that was far shaper than his own.

Eryndor stiffened, but his pride was even stronger than his fear.

"What the fuck is this? A trick?"

That's when the reflection started to speak to him, it's voice was velvety and cold, like silk was being dragged across steel.

"This isn't a trick... This is just the truth. Your the crown amongst many thorns. A well crafted jewel among stone. But here they are, binding you with the weak, pitiful, and also the flawed. Why should you bow to their illusions of unity, when you were already born to reign?"

Upon hearing that Eryndor's pulse quickened. His thoughts, his anger, his contempt were all echoed back to him from the reflection he was looking at.

"What are you?" He demanded from the reflection.

That's when the voice purred, it echoed across the chamber without even moving it's lips. "I am simply a whisper of what you could be. Merely a fragment of a destiny that is unchained. You can call me... Patron, or rather if you wish just call me nothing. It doesn't matter who or what am I. What matters is this: You were always right, Crown prince of Aeltheris. The other races have always been beneath you. You always felt it didn't you? The insult of you being compared to mere mortals? Demons? And beasts?"

Eryndor's hand was tightening on the pool's edge, he felt it in his whole being. The reflection was speaking to his thoughts and ambitions clearly, finally someone understood him and his stance.

"Yes."

That's when the reflections grin widened. "Then go claim what is rightly yours. Their games will be your stage. You will break them. Humiliate them. Prove to them that elves are not equals but they are the rulers."

The water started to glow faintly, dark threads were writhing like ink just beneath the surface.

Eryndor could've left, he could've been suspicious of it's intentions. Instead he just leaned in closer, drinking in every poisonous word it said.

"What must I do then?" He whispered.

That's when the reflections eyes began to gleam. "Nothing you just need to embrace your true self. Your strength is already there you just need a catalyst to make it sharper. You must feed it, and together we will awaken the truth that is sleeping in your bloodline. You only need to remove the restrains that are around you, you just need to extend your hand towards the pool."

Restraint. The word was spat from his mind like venom. He remembered his father's voice and words, the words that commanded him to show grace. It was just chains, they were always chains.

"Very well," Eryndor said his smile was cold.

"Then show me."

The water the surged upward, as a tendril of darkness began coiling around his had. It sank deep into his skin like it was liquid fire.

Then for a brief instant, his veins started to turn black, his vision was being filled with dark whispers, and his heart thundered as though there was another one that pulsed beside it. Then just like that it was gone, leaving only just a faint mark, it was like a sigil that was etched upon his wrist.

Eryndor just stared it, his lips c of cooking into a cold smile, he felt a thrill as power was coursing through his veins.

That's when the reflection bowed mockingly, and flashed an evil grin that Eryndor never saw. "And this is when the prince ascends."

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